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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella frontalis

OTHER NAMES: Spotted Porpoise, Spotter, Bridled Dolphin, Gulf Stream Spotted Dolphin, Long-snouted Dolphin

The upper body of the Atlantic spotted dolphin is a dark gray color. This fades to a medium gray on the sides and a light ventral surface. They have a chunky beak with a spot of white on the end. The name of the Atlantic spotted dolphin comes from the spots that develop as the dolphin ages. The older the dolphin, the more spots. Adult females tend to be larger than adult males.

The typical family group of the Atlantic spotted dolphin can consist of 50 individuals but is usually somewhere between 5 and 15. They are very vocal and active at the surface. They will often group with other types of dolphins. It has also been observed that pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins can be formed along lines of gender, age and reproductive status.

Question:-How can you tell the difference between a male and a female dolphin? Answer: To find this out you have to look underneath the dolphin at it's belly. If you see a long slit with 2 smaller slits, that's a female:

Question:-Why do spinner dolphins spin? Answer: There is probably more than one reason for why spinner dolphins spin. The one that has been documented the most has to do with remoras, a group of fishes that has one of the fins on their back modified into a suction cup. The suction cup allows the remora to attach to a shark, marlin, whale or dolphin to get a free ride. The problem for the marine mammals is the way the fish makes sure that the suction cup does not slide around on its host, by sinking thousands of little needle-like bones into the skin of the host. This does not cause much of a problem to a shark or a marlin, but to a dolphin, with sensitive skin, it may be a major irritant.

Question:-How intelligent are dolphins? Answer: The short answer to this is that we do not know. There is no reliable method to measure intelligence in humans across cultures, so it is not surprising that comparing humans, dolphins, apes, dogs, etc. is impossible. There are some indications of their potential: they are fast learners and can generalize (which is also true of pigs, BTW). Also they can learn to understand complicated language-like commands (which is also true of the great apes).

Question:-Where are dolphins located? Answer: Dolphins have colonized all oceans and seas of the planet, from polar to tropical regions.  Presence or non presence of dolphins is a good indication of the state of the seas in many parts of the world.

Question:-How do dolphins sleep? Answer: Dolphins sleep only with one half of their brain at a time. Remember dolphins are conscious breathers. Should they sleep and go unconscious as we do they would simply suffocate or drown. Sleeping dolphins can be seen as resting, floating at the surface, with one eye open. After a time, they will close the one eye and open the other one. They alternate like this throughout their entire nap.

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